Our History
Brockie Donovan has been a vital care-giving member of the Brandon community for over 109 years. As one of Brandon's oldest businesses, we have had the unique privilege of serving several generations of Brandon and area families. Each family has come to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service and have the highest integrity.
Brockie Donovan’s founder, George Brockie, was born in Paisley, Ontario on May 16, 1885. George moved to Brandon in 1906 and began his career in funeral service at Vincent & MacPherson Funeral Home. After moving to Dauphin for a few years he returned to Brandon in 1915 and opened Brockie Funeral Service and Brockie Furniture. George married Mary Winnifred Johnston and they had two children, Mary and Ruth. After several locations, the funeral home located to 8th Street where it remains today. During the 30’s and 40’s the company manufactured their own cloth-covered caskets. They also opened up a furniture store and funeral home in Souris, MB which George sold in 1947.
George loved to play baseball, and was also well known for his Standard Bred Horses which he raced on the ‘A’ Circuit in Manitoba. George passed away February 19, 1972 at the age of 86.
Jack Donovan worked with Mr. Brockie and married his daughter, Mary in 1943. In 1956, Jack and Mary purchased the funeral home and changed the name to Brockie Donovan Funeral Home. Jack Donovan was born in Battleford, Saskatchewan on October 21, 1914 and joined the firm in 1945 after being discharged from the RCAF. Jack and Mary had three children, Marion, Joan, and John. In 1965, a new chapel was constructed on an adjacent lot and the original funeral home was demolished and become the parking lot. Jack was very active in the community in civic politics and he had a long association with the Masonic Order. He served the funeral profession as president of the Manitoba and Canadian Funeral Service Associations. Jack passed away December 23, 2000 at the age of 86.
In 1975, Jack and Mary sold Brockie Donovan to Jack and Joyce Lumbard.
Jack Lumbard was born in Carnduff, Saskatchewan on September 22, 1937, moving to Brandon in the same year. Jack married Joyce Hart in 1957, and they raised three children, Todd, Wade and Rebecca.
In 1959, Jack apprenticed under his uncle Bill Reid, in Wilkie, Saskatchewan and joined Brockie Donovan in 1962. In 1975, Jack and Joyce purchased the funeral home. It has remained in the Lumbard family ever since. During Jack’s tenure, he purchased Rosewood Memorial Chapel in Brandon, constructed Western Manitoba’s first crematorium, and founded Westman Granite, a memorial company situated in Brandon. Jack, too, was active in the community. He was a member of the Masonic Order and was a director of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Jack is a past president of the Manitoba and Canadian Funeral Associations. Jack passed away March 20, 2014 at the age of 76.
Jack’s son, Todd, joined the firm in 1986. He was educated in Brandon and at 17, he was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Islanders. Following his junior career, playing goal for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Regina Pats, Todd played four years of professional hockey. He returned to Winnipeg to continue his education prior to joining the family business. Todd married Kerry McCallum and together they have three children, a daughter, Drew and two sons, Brock and Luke. While in Brandon, Todd was president of the Chamber of Commerce and in 2005, Todd served as president of Selected Independent Funeral Homes (N.S.M.) In 1995, Todd purchased Brockie Donovan. Jack’s second son, Wade, joined the firm in 1995 and became a partner with Todd in 2003.
Wade was educated in Brandon, graduating from Brandon University with a Science Degree. He continued his studies at the University of Toronto and Carleton University in Ottawa, completing his education at the University of Manitoba, obtaining his C.A. designation. Wade worked as an accountant at Deloitte & Touche for several years. Following his time in Winnipeg, he returned home to Brandon and joined Brockie Donovan in 1995. Wade married Kelly MacDonald and together they have two sons, Holden and Jack. In 2003, Wade followed in his father's footsteps to become President. Wade and Kelly are active members in the community and are involved in many organizations to make Brandon and Westman a better place to live for everyone .
In 2004, Todd and Wade purchased Speers Funeral Home in Regina and Todd relocated to Regina with his family to operate Speers on a day to day basis. The expansion continued in February, 2006 when Todd and Wade, along with partner John Leggat purchased Cropo Funeral Chapel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Our heritage of service excellence continues today with our current staff members, Wade Lumbard, Kelly Lumbard, Jordan Bulloch, Victoria Bulloch, Jeremy Lancaster, Zoey Black, Nicole Stanton, Michelle Klemick, Cindy Anderson, Lisa Hammond, Joy Bowman, Shelley Wray, Kim Lewarne, Larry Mennie, and Kerry Fast.
